For an alternative Europe: A fundamental step for building progressive alliances

For an alternative Europe: A fundamental step for building progressive alliances

11 November 2017

Gregor Gysi, President of the European Left:

From 10th to 11th November the European Left attended the first 'Marseille European Forum', an annual forum of progressive forces of Europe, a new space for long-term political cooperation, bringing together a very broad panel of left, green and progressive parties, of platforms and political movements, trade unions and social organisations, NGOs, intellectuals and citizens movements from all over Europe. The European Union is in deep crisis. It is not based on solidarity, it is not socially just, not democratic, ecologically unsustainable, not transparent, bureaucratic and even strives to become militarized. We need an alternative, a different Europe. A lot of different people from various organizations met in Marseilles and discussed how we can change, reform and save Europe, especially for the youth. The adopted conclusion guides us towards a second, possibly even annually organised just as the Sao Paulo Forum, fighting against nationalism, right-wing populism and extremism, working firmly towards a peaceful and expressively social Europe. If we cannot overcome the differences separating us, then the unsocial and right-wing extremism will thrive again. We not only have rights but also obligations and a responsibility we need to live up to.